Rossing-machine.



Patented Sept. l2, I899.

H. WOLFE.

ROSSING MACHINE.

(Application filed may 4, 1899.

2 Sheets-Sheet l (No Model.)

Patented Sept. I2, I899.

H. WOLFE.

RUSSING MACHINE.

(Application filed May 4, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT QE rcE.

HENRY TVOLFE, OF FALLS VILLAGE, CONNECTICUT.

ROSSlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,979, dated September 12, 1899.

Application filed May 4, 1899. Serial No. 715,555. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1,.HENRY lVOLFE, of Falls Village, in the county of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Rossing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a front view; Fig. 2, a top View; Fig. 3, a side view; Fig. 4', a longitudinal section through the cutters and parts adjacent thereto.

This invention relates to an improvement in machines for rossing bark, and particularly for removing the bark from alder, the object of the invention being not so much to save the bark as to free the wood from the bark, such wood being used in the manufacture of gunpowder; and the invention consists in details of construction and combinations of parts, as willbe hereinafter described, and particularly recited in the claims.

The frame of the machine consists of a base A, two uprights B C, and top D. Longitudinally through the frame is mounted a shaft E, which is adapted to be revolved. To this shaft is pinned a collar F, having a flange G, to which is secured a disk-like cutter H, having its face provided with cutting-ribs. Beyond the cutter H the shaft E is squared, and on this squared portion is a collar F, having a flange G, to which a second cutter H, corresponding to the cutter H, is'secured. Projecting rearward from the collar F is a sleeve I, having a round exterior surface and an annular groove J. On this collar I is mounted a yoke K, through the hub of which a screw L extends into the groove J, and so that the collar I is free to rotate without turning the yoke K. From opposite sides of the yoke K rods M M extend through the side B of the frame, beyond which they are connected by a brace N, to which is attached a handle I and so that by drawing the handle outward the yoke K, and hence the collar I and the cutter secured to the sleeve F, may be moved away from the cutter H. Between the inner surface of the side B of the frame and the yoke is arranged a spiral spring 0, the tendency of which is to normally force the yoke forward, and hence the cutter H, into close engagement with the cutter H. Above the shaft E and parallel therewith is a shaft P, mounted in bearings P which extend through slots P formed in the sides B O and depending from the opposite ends of a horizontal plate Q, between which plate and the top D is arranged a spiral spring R, the tendency of which is to force theplate downward. On the shaft P and so as to stand between the cutters H H is an annular shoulder P, the object of which willhereinafter appear. The frame is further supported by transverse braces S S, arranged near the top of the frame and parallel with the top D thereof. To the left side of the machine and parallel with the said upright B is a vertically-arranged post T, to which a transverse bar U is adapted to be adjustably pivoted, so that the pivot may be raised or lowered, and at the opposite side is a vertically-arranged post T, formed in its outer edge with notches T to receive the end of the bar U and so as to hold that bar in the desired position, the object of the bar being to hold the branch passing through the cutters down into close proximity to the cutters. Adjacent to the cutters and at the rear thereof is 'a vertically-arranged guide V,whicl1 stands at an angle to the cutter H and so as to deflect a branch passing through the cutters to the left. Pivotally mounted in the frame beyondthe guide V is a scraper WV, adapted to swing to different angles and held at its outer edge by a spring-rod X, which is connected to the frame. This scraper is formed with horizontally-arranged cutting or scraping edges adapted to bear upon the surface of the strip passing through the machine.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The transverse bar U being adjusted corresponding to the diameter of the branches to be stripped,'the branches are fed end foremost below the bar U and between the cutters H H, which it will be understood are constantly revolving in the same direction. The collar P on the shaft P tends to force the branch downward between the cutters, and the cutter H yields, according to the size of the branch. The guide V being at one side of the cutters H H it follows thatthe branch will pass through the machine at an angle and be acted upon by the cutter H in front of the vertical center of the cutters and by the cutter H in rear of the vertical center of the cutters, and hence, owing to the inclination of the cutting-faces of the cutters H H, the branch is rotated as it is forced through the machine, and so that the cutters act over the entire surface of the branch and loosen the bark thereon. As the branch passes beyond the guide V it passes in front of the scraper WV, which as the branch rotates entirely removes the bark from the branch. In case a comparatively large branch is fed to the machine the cutter H may first be moved away from the cutter H by drawing backward on the handle N, after which it is forced forward by the action of the spring 0. As the cutter H is yielding the bark is partially cut or broken on the small branches as well as the larger and without injuring the wood itself, from which the bark is finally removed by the scraper Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A machine for rossing bark, comprising a frame and a horizontally-arranged shaft therein, a disk-like cutter fixed on said shaft, a second disk-like cutter mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, but free for longitudinal movement thereon,the cutting-faces of said disks beingtoward each other, a spring acting to force said adjust-able cutter toward the fixed cutter, a guide beyond and at one side of said cutters and inclined with relation thereto, and a scraper having a series of horizontal cutting edges beyond the said guide and in line therewith, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for rossing bark, the combination with the frame, of a horizontal shaft extending through the frame, a cutter fixed to said shaft, an adjustable cutter mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, but free for longitudinal movement thereon, the cutting-faces of the said disks being toward each other, a spring tending to force said adjustable cutter toward the fixed cutter, a Vertically-movable shaft above said cutter and parallel with the cutter-shaft, and provided with an annular shoulder which stands between the adjacent faces of the cutters, and a scraper beyond and at one side of said cutters, and having a series of horizontal cutting edges, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for rossing bark, the combination with the frame, of a horizontal shaft therein, a fixed cutter on said shaft, and an adjustable cutter also mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, but free for longitudinal movement thereon, a spring tending to force the said movable 'cu tter toward the fixed cutter, means for moving the said movable cutter from the fixed cutter, and a scraper beyond and at one side of said cutters, and formed with a series of horizontal cutting edges, substantially as described.

at. In a machine for rossing bark, the combination with the frame thereof, of a horizontally-arranged shaft, a fixed cutter on said shaft, an adjustable cutter also mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith but free for longitudinal movement thereon, a scraper at one side of and beyond said cutters, and formed with a series of horizontal cutting edges, and a presser-bar mounted in the frame in front of said cutters, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY IVOLFE.

Witnesses:

FRED. O. EARLE, LILLIAN D. KELSEY. 

